Laterally adjustable mop with pivoted brace means



` Sept. 15, 1959 LATE )HIMSM LATERALLY ADJ USTABJEIk MOP `WITH PIV OTED BRACE MEANS Franklk Murphy, The Dalles,'0reg. Application 4September 117, .1957, Serial No. 16849470 Claims. (Cl. 15-229) .invention relates generally to mops and mop handles, 'and more specifically to extensions for a mop holder.

. In 'the use of mops, oor mops for instance, it .becomes necessary at certain times to wash the mop. This usually causes a shrinking of 'the mop 'thus creating a difficulty when ytrying to put 'the mop back on the mopholder. Therefore, Vthe primary object of this invention is to provide a mop extension which is adjustable, so as to accommodate various size mops.

Another object of this invention is to provide compensating braces which automatically adjust themselves to the proper position, when using the mop of the present invention.

Other objects of this invention reside in its ease of operation, simplicity of use, and inexpensive manufacturing cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the mop extension comprising the present invention, illustrating in phantom lines a mop connected to this mop extension;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through the mop and mop extension, showing details of construction thereof; and

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially along the plane defined by reference line 3-3 of Figure 2.

The numeral generally designates the mop comprising the present invention. This mop comprises a base plate 12, extensions 14, a brace 16, and a mop handle 18.

Base 12 is constructed of a longitudinally extending channel member 20. Mounted on the upper medial portion of channel 20 are angle brackets 22 which are securely mounted to the channel member at a distance slightly spaced from each other. On both sides of angle brackets 22 are longitudinally centrally disposed slots 24 extending through channel member 20 for a purpose which will be described below. Extensions 14 are slidable in channel 20, and are of a shape to be accommodated therein and have rounded end portions. Each extension 14 has an opening 26 formed therethrough, in alignment with slots 24. A bolt 28 passes through opening 26 and extends upwardly through slot 24. This bolt 28 has a friction washer 30 with a surface which is adapted to frictionally engage the upper surface of channel 20. A washer 32 is disposed on the bolt 28 in overlying relation to washer 30, and a wing nut 34 locks the washers in place, thus serving to lock extensions 14 in place. It will be noted that by loosening wing nuts 34 the effective size of the mop holder may be varied by sliding extensions 14 toward or away from each other.

Brackets 36 are of integral construction with and at right angles to washers 32, and act as extensions thereof.

Pivotally connected toextensions 36 vare bracemernbers 38,which are pivoted to brackets 42 which, in turn, Aare pivoted to a slidable sleeve 4l). This sleeve 40 is coaxial with the handle 18, which is threaded into a.socket-44, 'which is pivotally connected by a pin l46 tjo angle brackets `It may thusbe seen that as the extensions 14 are moved outwardly away from each other, the braces '38 are forced further apart thus creating a larger angle between them, and acting to `equalize the forces exerted on the mop, so that a good mopping action may be given.

A mop head 4'8 is connected by means 'of a sleeve 5 0 to the channel 20. This sleeve v50 is in the form of a pocket, which encircles extensions 14 and channel `v20. Drawstrings 52 are used to ti'e the mophead securely'in place to the mop holder.

When the mop is first attached on the mop holder, the

`wing nuts 34 are Unthreaded, and the extensions n14 moved awayfrom each other, so as to increase the effective width of'the'mop holden-and to have the mop head properly fit on the mop holder. After 'a mop is washed, it will shrink, and if an ordinary non-adjustable mop head holder is used, much difficulty will be encountered when trying to put the mop head back onto the mop holder. However, with this device, it is possible by adjusting the effective width of the extensions 14, to compensate for the shrinkage of the mop head. In this way, an improved mop holder obviates the problem of the mop shrinking and not fitting onto the holder. Furthermore, as the width of the extensions 14 is changed, the braces 38 also change their effective position, thus controlling the motion components, and equalizing the forces on the mop, whereby good, firm control may be had over the mop at all times. It is to be noted that mop heads are usually made a few inches longer than conventional frames, presumably to allow for shrinkage, but often the allowance is insucient. In any event the mop head is either too long for the frame causing a loose fit and little support, or it shrinks to a point where the mop head is too small for the conventional frame.

It may thus be seen that I have invented an improved and novel type of mop which is extensible and contractible so as to accommodate various size mop heads, as well as being able to compensate motion components so as to allow the mop to be moved over the floor with great stability.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A laterally adjustable mop comprising in combination an elongated handle, a cross member having one end of said handle connected to its mid-portion, a pair of laterally projectable and retractable extensions disposed at and slidable relative to the respective opposite end portions of said cross member and constituting longitudinal continuations thereof, a pair of screw-threaded fastening elements for locking said extensions against sliding relative to said cross member, said fastening elements upon unlocking being slidable with the respective extensions relative to the cross member, a tubular sleeve freely slidable on said handle, a pair of divergent braces coplanar with the handle and pivotally connected at their convergent ends to said sleeve for lateral swinging movement, means pivotally connecting the divergent ends of said braces to the respective fastening elements whereby when said elements are tightened to lock said extensions against sliding said braces and said sleeve are simultaneously locked in xed relation to said handle, and a mop head removably mounted on said cross member and extensions.

2. The device as dened in claim 1 wherein said mop head is elongated and provided at opposite ends thereof with pockets receiving said extensions therein.

3. A laterally adjustable mop head holder comprising in combination an elongated handle, a cross member having one end of said handle connected to its midportion, a pair of laterally projectable and retractable extensions disposed at and slidable relative to the respective opposite end portions of said cross member and constituting longitudinal continuations thereof, a pair of screW-threaded fastening elements for locking said ex tensions against sliding relative to said cross member, said fastening elements upon unlocking being slidable with the respective extensions relative to the cross member, a tubular sleeve freely slidable on said handle, a pair of divergent braces coplanar with the handle and pivotally connected at their convergent ends to said sleeve for lateral swinging movement, and means pivotally connecting the divergent ends of said braces to the respective fastening elements whereby when said elements are tightened to lock said extensions against sliding said braces and said sleeve are simultaneously locked in fixed relation to said handle.

4. The device as defined in claim 3 together with means pivotally connecting said handle to said cross member for swinging in a plane perpendicular to the cross member, said means pivotally connecting said braces to said fastening elements including means for facilitating swinging of the braces with said handle in said perpendicular plane notwithstanding the locking action of said fastening elements.

5. The device as dened in claim 3 wherein said fastening elements are carried by the respective extensions and are slidably adjustable in slots formed longitudinally in the end portions of said cross member.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 551,507 Murphy Dec. 17, 1895 1,362,900 Severns Dec. 21, 1920 2,109,635 Ferris Mar. 1, 1938 2,172,479 McMillen Sept. 12, 1939 2,325,598 Fatland Aug. 3, 1943 2,635,272 Johnson Apr. 21, 1953 2,671,236 Richards et al Mar. 9, 1954 

